The total shipments of Asahi Rubber Inc.’s (TYO:5162) Asa Color LED light emitting diodes reached 1 billion pieces in November. Asa Color LED offers more than 10,000 colors of homogenous light to illuminate in-vehicle devices by applying phosphor impregnated silicone rubber caps onto blue light emitting diodes. Therefore, the product is in high demand for automotive interior and special illumination...
Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) has reported that sales for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2017 declined due to a negative impact of currency exchange rates caused by a strong yen. However, operating profit rose on the back of a sales volume increase mainly in North America, China and other Asian countries, positive effects of restructuring...
The size of the retail shoe market in Japan (excluding slippers and sandals) is expected to reach 420 million pairs, 1.9 trillion yen ($17.12 billion) in 2016, as overall selling prices of both imported shoes and shoes manufactured in Japan have increased due to rising manufacturing costs overseas and a weak yen having become the norm. Until now, the size...
Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd. (TYO:5192) has developed a new product in its Logistar series of resin belts for logistics, a high-performance incline conveyor belt suitable for transporting food items. The new Logistar belt employs a special polyurethane surface and complies with Japan’s Food Sanitation Act (Ministry of Health and Welfare Notification No. 370). This makes it possible to be safely used...
A string of price hikes is taking place with chloroprene rubber (CR) in the international market. Japanese companies Denka Co. Ltd. (TYO:4061), Tosoh Corp. (TYO:4042) and Showa Denko KK (TYO:4004) each have announced price increases, as has Netherlands-based Arlanxeo. The companies say that the reason for the price hikes is to ensure a stable product supply, as there is no...
New Balance Japan Inc. has opened its first Japan-based global flagship store, New Balance Harajuku, located on Meiji-dori Road, Harajuku, Tokyo. New Balance Japan President Tomoo Tomita said that, with the brand facing significant changes, he wants to show customers what form the brand will take as it moves into its next stage. He spoke also of his aim to...
